West Allis, Wis., police had a bit of a surprise when they responded to a call about a mysterious man in the neighborhood near Milwaukee in July 2013 and found Dwayne S. Powell, a private detective, with two laptop computers, binoculars, a GPS tracking device, a stun gun, two rifles, four handguns, 2,000 rounds of ammunition and a homemade silencer in a rented SUV. While first resisting to give his name, Powell reportedly admitted that he was hired to keep continual watch on the father of David Miscavige, the leader of the Church of Scientology, who had separated from the church. Powell further stated that, after seeing what he believed was a possible heart attack, he contacted David Miscavige, who allegedly told him to let his father Ronald Miscavige Sr. die and not intervene or call help. The case has not led to litigation but it could.
The story is getting even greater attention with the release of Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief — the 2013 non-fiction book about Scientology written by Lawrence Wright detailing abuses and potential crimes by the Church, including its history of harassing and following former members. The Church reportedly prohibits members from reading or seeing such anti-Church information. Indeed, it appears successful with some of its most famous members. Recently, John Travolta told the media that he would not watch the movie because “I haven’t experienced anything that the hearsay has (claimed), so why would I communicate something that wasn’t true for me?” Notably, all of the books by defectors from the church talk about how celebrities are given special sites and treatment like royalty within the church. Thus, it is not too surprising that it was not “true for” Travolta but one would think that he might be interested in what non-celebrities are saying as to their abuse behind the gilded celebrities centers. His choice of words was telling for many who say that they are survivors of the Church: “So, why would I even approach a negative perspective? That would be a crime to me, personally, to do that.”
The Church is considered a criminal organization in some countries and has been accused of criminal conduct by some in this country.
Powell says that he was paid $10,000 a week to trail Ronald Miscavige. Police say that, in this case, private detectives tracked Ronald Miscavige, engaged in eavesdropping, spied on his emails and even planted a GPS unit on his car.
Powell, 43, eventually admitted that he was following the elder Miscavige. The Church (as it has in past such cases) totally denies any connection, “Please be advised that Mr. Miscavige does not know Mr. Powell, has never heard of Mr. Powell, has never met Mr. Powell, has never spoken to Mr. Powell, never hired Mr. Powell and never directed any investigations by Mr. Powell.”
That contradicts not just Powell’s statements but his most shocking story that he and his partner saw what they believed was the elder Miscavige having a heart attack. They called their Church intermediary to say that he was grasping his chest and needed medical help. He said that two minutes later a man who identified himself as David Miscavige called him back and told him that, if it was Ron’s time to die, to let him die and not intervene in any way.”
Powell said he and a second investigator searched the elder Miscavige’s garbage, photographed him wherever he went and tracked him with a GPS device attached to his car and linked to an iPad that read out his location, the documents state. Police found marks on the underside of the car that they concluded were made by the magnetic GPS device.
If the elder Miscavige wanted to sue, he could proceed with a tort actions alleging violation of privacy (inclusion upon seclusion). This could include even some public encounters. The allegations would raise some interesting issues of intrusion upon seclusion and a comparison to Nader v. General Motors Corp., where Ralph Nader was able to show that GM hired detectives to follow him closely. One such instance involved looking over his shoulder at banks to read his bank slips, which was found to be an intrusion upon seclusion even though it was a public place.
There is also trespass on the vehicle with the GPS device. Notably, the Supreme Court recently ruled that police cannot use such devices without a warrant.
Then there is the ever litigious Church of Scientology. The allegation of Powell would certainly constitute defamation, though there are privileges attached to speaking with the police. If these statements are made publicly, Miscavige could bring a defamation lawsuit. The Church has been known to bring an array of frivolous or vexatious actions. This would be a standard defamation case since Miscavige is being accused of personally telling an investigator not to intervene to save his father after the Church allegedly engaged in abusive surveillance. The problem is that “truth is a defense” and Powell could demand a full array of discovery from the highly secretive church.
What is interesting is that the success of the Church in the past in intimidating reporters since to be wading. I have spoken with reporters who have reported being followed and harassed in covering the Church. That has created a chilling effect that appears to be thawing. Even Saturday Night Live appears eager to get into the coverage:
Pogo, Atheists put their faith in government. That’s real higher order thinking!!
Pogo
Or you can take the short cut to religion and buy comic books. You’re right it does take longer and is often times more expensive to understand: chemistry, physics, biology, etc. However, one does have to work at it. With religion it’s as easy as falling off a log. Unless of course you’re enlightened enough to step back a bit and take a look at the big picture, here on earth. You know not including gods, aliens, water walkers, ponies to heaven, talking burning bushes, etc.
issac – most people who really understand religion have a doctorate in it. That is where they came from in the first place, religion. For instance, all Jesuit theologians have a doctorate in Sacred Theology from their college in Rome. MLK, jr. had a doctorate in theology.
Pogo, I’m was asked a couple weeks ago by a couple to be their officiant for their wedding in Colorado in September. I was really quite moved. Anyway, it’s a piece o’ cake to become an officiant in Colorado.
“Audio Visuals: This Old Scientology Song Sure Is Catchy”
http://www.wired.com/2015/04/audio-visuals-13/
Actually, it takes longer to get a law degree or become a hairdresser than it does become a Christian.
“you don’t get any closer.”
At least for Christianity, this is quite false.
One need know no more than the Apostle’s Creed.
Anything else is gravy.
“So, yes you can get the basics of any religion, including Scientology but unless you pay the price in money and/or time, which I suppose equates to devotion, you don’t get any closer”
How does that differ from Physics or Chemistry, or auto mechanics?
1. The initiate is ignorant and seeks enlightenment.
2. There is always someone a little higher up that is closer to the answer.
3. You can get the basics of any science for free.
4. But but unless you pay the price in money and/or time, which I suppose equates to devotion, you don’t get any closer.
Jason
First of all, my previous post was to pillory all fantasy based religions. Secondly, the foundation stone, corner stone, in fact all the stones for all these religions is that you can’t really understand. Thus the mysteries and thus the leaders: rabbis, priests, etc. The initiate is ignorant and seeks enlightenment but there is always someone a little higher up that is closer to the answer. So, yes you can get the basics of any religion, including Scientology but unless you pay the price in money and/or time, which I suppose equates to devotion, you don’t get any closer. In the end it is all about societal control, with or without territorial borders. Hence Tennessee. Hence the Middle East, Islam and Judaism. Christianity is the most confident, I suppose. It’s been a long time since they slaughtered any other religion. In any event the necessary ingredient in these salads is salt, a grain.
The documentary was fascinating. I really didn’t know much about what Scientology actually “believes in” and still don’t. However, it did expose the cultish manipulation of people in the way that they isolate and literally brainwash the members. The don’t spring the really weird beliefs on the members until they are well indoctrinated.
And yes. Tom Cruise came across as very weird and creepy in the filmed interviews that he gave about Scientology. Psychotic almost.
Interesting to watch.
Although Travolta comes across as bad in Going Clear, it is Tom Cruise who comes across as spooky, evil, and crazy. I said to my wife as we watched the HBO doc, I think Cruise loves this Miscavage fascist because he is actually taller than Miscavage. The guy has to be 5’3″. The history of the world would be much less violent if all men were the same height, and had the same sized penis.
And why would anyone need public records from Wisconsin a wonderful, open, democratic state under our wonderful governor Scott Walker? Why would anyone especially a glibertarian not trust with their entire being their Governor Walker? Methinks someone speaks out of their nether regions.
(Sarc)
This PI, Dwayne Powell, is not licensed in Wisconsin. Looking up business, health, trade, credentials is public record in Wisconsin. We were cutting edge in open records, but that openness has been under attack the past 15-20 years, by govt. pols and bureaucrats.
If anyone ever wants a good source on open records, Bill Lueders is the guy in Wisconsin. But, his knowledge is not provincial. I have gotten to know this very liberal man and have a good relationship w/ him. We share a strong belief in the need for records to be open, he a journalist and I a PI. His organization is WisconsinWatch.org.
Karen, You misread. The govt. official hiring me was management and wanted to intimidate the union. But, I do agree w/ your declaration. The reason being the mob indeed does control some unions.
Nick – I believe it. Some unions act like the mob.
If the PI broke laws, then won’t the police then be able to get disclosure from Scientology? This could get really interesting . . . and all those celebrities will have a harder time ignoring abuses brought up in a courtroom.
Jason, If you watch the doc, or read the book, Going Clear, that is one of many of the cult aspects. I do not like any organized religion, although having a strong faith. However, I respect people who do believe in organized religion. This is a cult, not a religion. An evangelical atheist would not be able to see the difference. You sir, are a reasonable atheist, able to discern between organized religion and the cult of a certifiably crazy man.
isaac:
I’m an atheist and yeah, much of Scientology’s stuff isn’t much weirder than established religions. It does however differ in one very important and fundamental way.
If I wish to be a Baptist or Catholic or Muslim, I can get all of those church’s dogma and philosophy for free (the collection plate notwithstanding). There are no secret stories held back until you have spent enough money.
OK, now I really have to see “Going Clear.” I don’t get HBO, so hopefully it’ll be out on Netflix soon.
Correction in the last paragraph. Should be “waning” not wading.
I mentioned a week or so ago the HBO documentary by the same name, Going Clear, last week. I referenced the IRS being sissies when hit w/ multiple lawsuits and relenting, granting this cult church non profit status. I also talked about how they hire PI’s to do surveillance of “fallen” members. But, the surveillance is the intimidating type. Not covert, but overt, as a form of intimidation. Only twice in my career was I asked to do surveillance of an overt, intimidating nature. Both times it was by govt. clients. Both times it was to do surveillance ostensibly for worker’s compensation injuries, But, my clients both said they wanted the person to KNOW they were being watched, antithetical to doing fraud surveillance. These worker’s comp claimants were both union officers and the municipality wanted to intimidate them. Now, I have made my thoughts about govt. unions well known. But, I declined both assignments. And, I told my clients, in no uncertain terms why I was. “Horseshit” being the word used. I lost one client by speaking my mind. When you’re successful, it’s much easier to speak your mind.